Proverbs 10

Proverbs of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child makes a father glad, but a foolish child brings sorrow to his mother.

2 The treasure of the wicked won't profit them, but righteousness rescues people from death.

3 The LORD doesn't let the righteous starve, but he rejects the desires of the wicked.

4 Laziness brings poverty; hard work makes one rich.

5 A wise son harvests in the summer; a disgraceful son sleeps right through the harvest.

6 Blessings cover the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked rots.

8 The skilled mind accepts commands, but a foolish talker is ruined.

9 Those who walk in innocence walk with confidence, but those on crooked paths will be found out.

10 Those who wink an eye bring trouble; those who speak foolishly are ruined.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12 Hate stirs up conflict, but love covers all offenses.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of those who have understanding, but there is a rod for the back of those with no sense.

14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings on ruin.

15 The riches of the wealthy are their strong city; the ruin of the poor is their poverty.

16 The wages of the righteous lead to life; the earnings of the wicked lead to sin.

17 Those who heed instruction are on the way to life, but those who ignore correction lose their way.

18 Lying lips conceal hate, and those who spread slander are fools.

19 With lots of words comes wrongdoing, but the wise restrain their lips.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked lacks value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many people, but fools who lack sense will die.

22 The LORD's blessing makes a person rich, and no trouble is added to it.

23 Fools enjoy vile deeds, but those with understanding take pleasure in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dread will come on them, but what the righteous desire will be given to them.

25 After a whirlwind passes by, the wicked are no more, but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are lazy people to those who authorize them.

27 The fear of the LORD increases one's life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.

28 The expectations of the righteous result in joy, but the hopes of the wicked will perish.

29 The path of the LORD is a refuge for the innocent and ruin for those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked won't dwell in the land.

31 The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the twisted tongue will be cut off.

32 The lips of the wise know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows only what is perverse.

Proverbs 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

Through the whole of the Proverbs, we are to look for somewhat beyond the first sense the passage may imply, and this we shall find to be Christ. He is the Wisdom so often spoken of in this book.

Verse 1 The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and ( proverbs 10:2-3 ) the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life. Verse 4 . Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works. Verse 5 . Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Verse 6 . Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings. Verse 7 . Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference. Verse 8 . The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice. Verse 9 . Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed. Verse 10 . Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity. Verse 11 . The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others. Verse 12 . Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved. Verse 13 . Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves. Verse 14 . Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom. Verse 15 . This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith. Verse 16 . Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life. Verse 17 . The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still. Verse 18 . He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better. Verse 19 . Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise ( proverbs 10:20-21 ) the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought. Verse 22 . That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion. Verse 23 . Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin. Verse 24 . The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted. Verse 25 . The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone. Verse 26 . As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes ( proverbs 10:27-28 ) is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other. Verse 29 . The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight. Verse 30 . The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die ( proverbs 10:31-32 ) wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 10

From this chapter to the "twenty fifth" are various proverbial sentences, without any very apparent connection or coherence with each other; describing righteous and wicked men; setting forth their different temper, conduct, and actions, and the fruits and effects of them. It should be observed, that frequently in the preceding chapters two persons are represented as women; one goes by the name of "Wisdom", the other is called the "foolish" woman and a "harlot"; the former is clearly to be understood of Christ; and the latter, being opposed to him, must be antichrist, the whore of Rome, and mother of harlots: now in the following part of this book two sorts of persons are spoken of; the one as wise, righteous, good and the other as foolish, wicked, &c. who are no other than the followers of Christ and antichrist; which observation is a key to the whole book.